Gospel at a Glance

Episode 6 Matthew 2:19-23 - Out of Egypt and into Nazareth

Gospel at a Glance — Episode 6: Matthew 2:19–23 - Out of Egypt and into Nazareth
Scripture:
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
— Matthew 2:19–23 (NIV)
 
Episode Summary:
In this episode, we follow the Holy Family as they return from Egypt and settle in Nazareth. Herod’s death brings an end to one chapter of danger, but Joseph’s caution and divine guidance lead them not to Judea, where Herod’s son Archelaus now rules, but to Galilee. There, in the quiet town of Nazareth, prophecy is fulfilled once again.
This passage closes Matthew’s infancy narrative and completes the pattern of revelation, obedience, and fulfillment that has defined Joseph’s role. It also ties Jesus’ story to Israel’s—out of exile, into the promised land, and into obscurity—foreshadowing the kind of humble ministry that will characterize His life.
Takeaways:
God’s direction often comes step by step, through trust and obedience.
Matthew continues to draw parallels between Jesus and Israel’s story of exile and return.
Nazareth’s obscurity highlights God’s pattern of working through the humble and overlooked.
“He will be called a Nazarene” reminds us that Jesus’ identity is rooted in both humility and divine purpose.
Sources Referenced:
ESV, NIV, NRSV, Oxford Annotated Study Bible, The Jewish Annotated New Testament, and The HarperCollins Study Bible.
Contact Us:
Have thoughts or questions about this passage? We’d love to hear from you!
📧 gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Music Credit:
Music by Maksym_Dudchyk from Pixabay
 

Episode 5 - Matthew 2:16-18 - Slaughter of the Innocents

Episode 5: Matthew 2:16–18
The Slaughter of the Innocents
In this episode, we explore Matthew 2:16–18, a sobering passage that recounts Herod’s violent response to the birth of Jesus. When the Magi do not return to him, Herod lashes out in fear and fury, ordering the massacre of young boys in Bethlehem. Matthew connects this tragedy with the words of the prophet Jeremiah, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, God’s redemptive story is still unfolding.
Scripture Reading (Matthew 2:16–18, NRSV):
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled, because they are no more.”
Takeaways:
Herod embodies worldly power rooted in fear and violence, in contrast to the humble arrival of Christ.
Matthew draws from Jeremiah 31:15, connecting Rachel’s weeping to Israel’s long history of suffering and hope.
The “slaughter of the innocents” reminds us that evil is real, but it cannot overcome God’s purposes.
Jesus’ survival foreshadows deliverance and the greater hope found in Him.
Sources Referenced:
The Holy Bible, ESV, NIV, and NRSV translations, Oxford Annotated Study Bible
The Jewish Annotated New Testament
HarperCollins Study Bible
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and feedback at gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com.
Music Credit:
Music by Maksym_Dudchyk from Pixabay

Episode 4 - Matthew 2:7-15 - A Refuge in Egypt

In this episode, we walk through Matthew 2:7–15. Herod plots in secret, the Magi follow the star to the child, and Joseph is warned in a dream to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. Together we’ll explore how this passage ties Jesus to Israel’s story, especially the Exodus, and how God’s deliverance shows up in unexpected ways.
Today’s Scripture: Matthew 2:7-15, NRSV
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
9 When they had heard the king, they set out, and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
13 Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
14 Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt,
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, “Out of Egypt I have called my son.”
Takeaways:
God’s plans are never stopped by human schemes, even those of powerful rulers.
The Magi’s joy reminds us that true worship is found in unexpected places, not palaces of power.
Joseph models obedience and trust, moving quickly to protect his family when God speaks.
Matthew shows Jesus as the new Israel: just as Israel came out of Egypt, so too does God’s Son.
Sources referenced in this episode include:
ESV, NIV, and NRSV, and Oxford Annotated Study Bible
The Jewish Annotated New Testament
HarperCollins Study Bible
We’d love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, questions, or feedback to gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com.
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Credits:
Smile in Autumn by Maksym_Dudchyk on Pixabay
 

Episode 3 - Matthew 2:1-6 - A Star in the East and a Threat to Power

Episode 3 - Matthew 2:1-6 - A Star in the East and a Threat to Power
In this episode of Gospel at a Glance, we explore Matthew 2:1–6 and the visit of the Magi. What does their journey reveal about Jesus’ kingship? Why does Matthew emphasize Bethlehem and prophecy? And how does Herod’s fear foreshadow the conflict between earthly power and God’s purposes? Together, we’ll reflect on the meaning of these verses and how they connect to the larger story of God’s deliverance.
Sources Used
For this series, I’m drawing from standard and respected sources including:
The Holy Bible (ESV, NIV, NRSV, Oxford Annotated Study Bible)
Jewish Annotated New Testament
HarperCollins Study Bible
Listener Feedback
I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, questions, or reflections by emailing: gospelataglancepodcast@gmail.com
Music Credit
Music by Maksym_Dudchyk from Pixabay

Episode 2 - Matthew 1:18-25 - God With Us

In this episode, we walk through Matthew’s account of the birth of Jesus. Joseph faces an impossible choice, but Matthew shows us that God is at work in surprising and disruptive ways. This passage brings forward the name Emmanuel, God with us, a theme that carries through the whole Gospel.
Along the way, we’ll explore how Matthew ties Jesus’ birth to the Hebrew Scriptures, the role of dreams in guiding Joseph, and what it means for God to dwell with his people.
Sources used in this episode:
Bible translations: ESV, NIV, NRSV
Study Bibles and commentaries: Oxford Annotated Study Bible, Jewish Annotated New Testament, HarperCollins Study Bible (NRSV)

Episode 1 - Matthew 1:1-17 - The Story Hidden in Jesus’ Family Line

In this short-form episode of Gospel at a Glance, we begin with the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel. At first glance, a long list of names may seem tedious, but Matthew is doing something profound here. The genealogy isn’t just a record; it’s a carefully crafted story of identity, history, and promise. Together we’ll explore how Matthew sets the stage for Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s story.
Throughout this episode, I’m drawing from trusted and widely used study sources, including:
The Holy Bible — ESV, NIV, and Oxford Annotated Study Bible
The Jewish Annotated New Testament (NRSV, Oxford University Press)
The HarperCollins Study Bible (NRSV, HarperOne)
Whether you’re new to the Bible or revisiting it with fresh eyes, this passage shows us that even in the “boring parts,” God’s story is rich with meaning.

Episode 0 - Gospel at a Glance Introduction

Welcome to the very first episode of Gospel at a Glance! This is a short-form Bible study podcast designed to help you slow down and engage deeply with the Gospels, one passage at a time. Together we’ll look at the historical context, explore how different scholars and traditions understand the text, and reflect on what the story of Jesus means for us today.
Whether you’re brand-new to reading the Bible, coming back after a long break, or a lifelong student of Scripture, this podcast will give you clarity, encouragement, and fresh perspective.
Sources referenced in this episode:
Bible Project (Podcast and YouTube channel)
BEMA Discipleship Podcast
The Holy Bible: ESV, NIV, and NRSV translations
The Jewish Annotated New Testament (Oxford University Press)
The HarperCollins Study Bible
 
Keywords for listeners searching for this podcast:
Bible study podcast • Gospel podcast • Christian podcast • Jesus teaching explained • Progressive Bible study • Conservative Bible study • ESV • NIV • NRSV • Jewish Annotated New Testament • HarperCollins Study Bible • Bible Project • BEMA podcast